Two candidates have qualified for a special election to fill a vacant post on the Clermont Town Council.

Town Clerk Sandra Helton said Cynthia Shubert-Jett and Eric Thomas will face off in the March 20 race for the Ward 1 post on the council, which was left vacant by the resignation of Robin Brown in December.

Thomas has been a Clermont council representative in the past.

Advance voting for the special election will take place from Feb. 26, 2018 to March 16, 2018 at Clermont Town Hall at 109 King Street. Absentee ballots for the election will be available on Feb. 26, as well.

While the governor sticks to cautious, measured responses to President Donald Trump's proposal to expand oil drilling into waters off Georgia and its coastal neighbors, a bipartisan group of lawmakers wants the Georgia legislature to formally denounce the energy plan as a threat to tourism and fishing.

The Georgia Secretary of State's Office said 18 candidates have officially qualified for the April 18 Special Election for the sixth congressional district - 11 Republicans, five Democrats and two Independents.